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Coming Home

Luke 15 is known as the story of the Prodigal Son. The story is about the youngest son who goes to his father with probably the greatest insult he could, by saying “I want my inheritance now”. In other words “I want your money and your gifts more than I want you around, so get out of the way!”

So this youngest son then goes far away, disconnects from the family, from his father, and does whatever he wants to do. Jesus describes it as “wild living”. He spends all of his money and is now completely broke. So he persuaded a farmer to hire him, and was given the job of feeding pigs. But eventually, the young man got so desperate the pig food was looking pretty good to him, and at that time Jesus said that he came to his senses: “At home even the hired servants have enough food to spare, and I am here dying of hunger! Maybe I'll go home to my Father, confess my mistakes, my sins and ask for a job as a servant.”

Let me show you the father’s response, which is God's response to us when we come back to Him every time…

Luke 15:20-24

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house [which would have been the father's robe, showing acceptance by the father] and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger [which showed sonship and authority] and sandals for his feet [meaning he wasn’t lowly or a servant but had a higher standing].  And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.”

God is not angry, waiting to make you feel bad. He is loving, accepting and empowering. When you come to or come back to Him, He gives you more than what you came with. More honour than you feel worthy of, more love and comfort than we deserve! Because that's who He is. A Father who wants His children home, because home is where He is, and where He is, there is freedom, healing, wholeness and strength!